{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Mary McLeod Bethune School 45","outOfStateSupporters":20.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8640516,"projectId":10717242,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support and generosity! Because of your kindness, our classroom was blessed with a wonderful delivery of essential care supplies, including nutritious snacks, facial/hand wipes, hand sanitizer, and cozy blankets and stuffed animals for students to take home.\r\nIn our classroom, we know that basic needs must be met before true learning can happen. These items have made an immediate, meaningful difference in our students' daily lives both at school and at home. Having a reliable stash of daily snacks ensures no child is trying to learn on an empty stomach, while the facial wipes and hand sanitizer keep our room clean, healthy, and refreshed throughout the day.\r\nBeing able to send the fleece blankets and stuffed animals home with our students has been especially meaningful. For many of our children, having their very own soft blanket and plush friend to keep at home provides a powerful sense of warmth, security, and comfort beyond the school walls.\r\nYour generosity did so much more than supply materials—it showed my students and their families that there is a whole community of caring people supporting them every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1791136292961,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-bodies-and-full-bellies/10717242/","projectTitle":"Cozy Bodies and Full Bellies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wolford","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8640516_orig.jpg?crop=571,571,x1067,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1716572261755","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8640516"},{"teacherId":8640516,"projectId":10421031,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible kindness and support! Because of your generosity, our classroom now has a fully equipped calming corner with amazing sensory tools—including texture worry stones, marble maze mats, squishy fidgets, and a weighted lap pad. \r\nIn an elementary classroom, big emotions can sometimes feel overwhelming for young learners. Having a dedicated calming space equipped with these tactile tools gives my students a safe, quiet outlet to regulate their feelings, reset, and regain focus.\r\nWhether a student needs a few quiet minutes with the weighted lap pad to settle their energy, or a texture stone to help manage anxiety during transitions, these tools have made a world of difference. Instead of feeling frustrated or falling behind on learning, my students now have the independence and self-awareness to recognize when they need a quick sensory break so they can return to their instruction ready to learn. \r\nThank you for providing my students with the tools they need to build self-regulation skills, self-confidence, and emotional resilience!","fullyFundedDate":1787177587144,"projectUrl":"project/mindful-moments-sensory-tools-for-stude/10421031/","projectTitle":"Mindful Moments: Sensory Tools for Student Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wolford","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8640516_orig.jpg?crop=571,571,x1067,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1716572261755","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8640516"},{"teacherId":8640516,"projectId":10343201,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support and generosity! Because of your kind donations, our classroom received brand new school supplies, individual pencil boxes, seat sacks/boxes, and special classroom treats.\r\nBefore these supplies arrived, keeping our classroom materials neat and accessible was a daily challenge. Now, thanks to the new seat boxes and individual pencil boxes, every student has their own designated, organized space for their pencils, markers, and supplies. Transitions between activities are smoother, less instructional time is wasted looking for lost items, and the students take immense pride in keeping their personal spaces clean and organized.\r\nThe fresh school supplies ensured that every single child has the tools they need to participate fully, regardless of what they are able to bring from home. Plus, the treats have been a fantastic motivator for encouraging great behavior, kindness, and hard work!\r\nYour generosity did more than just supply our room with materials—it created an organized, stress-free learning environment where my students feel valued and ready to learn every day.","fullyFundedDate":1785336856702,"projectUrl":"project/organized-spaces-and-illuminated-minds/10343201/","projectTitle":"Organized Spaces and Illuminated Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wolford","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8640516_orig.jpg?crop=571,571,x1067,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1716572261755","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8640516"},{"teacherId":7269106,"projectId":10245883,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity and support of our kindergarten classroom! Because of your kind contributions, our young learners now have their very own creative writing journals, fresh crayons, and beginner pencils. Your support means the world to us!\r\nHere is a glimpse into how your gift is making a big difference in our classroom:\r\nHow We Are Using the New Resources\r\nOur students have officially started using their new journals, crayons, and pencils during our daily independent literacy and creative writing centers. With these materials, every child now has a designated space to express their thoughts, practice letter formation, and draw stories. Recently, we worked on a project called \"All About Me and My Favorite Activity.\" The children used their new pencils to practice writing their names and labeling key words in their drawings, then used the vibrant crayons to illustrate their favorite classroom games. One especially sweet moment was watching a student carefully select just the right color crayon to detail their drawing, proudly pointing to their journal and saying, \"Look, I made a real book!\"\r\nHow the Students Reacted\r\nWhen the package first arrived and we unboxed the new supplies together, the classroom erupted with excitement! Kindergarteners love having brand-new tools that belong to them. Their eyes lit up seeing the smooth, blank journal pages and the crisp, bright sets of crayons. They were eager to hold the new pencils and couldn't wait to open their journals to the very first page. It turned writing time into one of the most anticipated parts of our day!\r\nNext Steps for Our Class\r\nNow that our students have built confidence with basic drawing and single-word labeling, our next step is to guide them into sentence-building and storytelling. Over the coming weeks, we will be using our journals for a seasonal autumn writing unit where students will observe nature changes, draw what they see, and use phonics strategies to write simple sentences like \"I see the leaf\" or \"The leaf is red.\"\r\nThank you again for opening your hearts and giving my kindergarteners the tools they need to discover the joy of writing and creative expression. Your support truly makes a lasting impact!","fullyFundedDate":1782466482589,"projectUrl":"project/pencil-power-helping-tiny-authors-find/10245883/","projectTitle":"Pencil Power: Helping Tiny Authors Find Their Voices","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Buck-Tomaselli","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7269106_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1706310817298","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7269106"},{"teacherId":8043293,"projectId":10348466,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in funding our \"Touch, Learn and Grow!\" project! \r\n\r\nThese new hands-on materials—including playdough, engaging puzzles, and colorful shape sorters—have quickly become the absolute favorite part of our daily learning centers. \r\n\r\nI love hearing their happy chatter and laughter as students practice fine motor skills squishing playdough, working together to solve puzzles, and proudly celebrating when they match shapes into the sorter. These resources not only making learning fun, but they are also helping our young learners build crucial problem-solving, sharing, and spatial reasoning skills. \r\n\r\nThank you again for your generous donation!","fullyFundedDate":1786541649154,"projectUrl":"project/touch-learn-and-grow/10348466/","projectTitle":"Touch, Learn and Grow!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Stein","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8043293"},{"teacherId":8500336,"projectId":10010688,"letterContent":"Wow! Give a kid a 5 minute video and see what they learn! Brainpop Jr. has been a gamechanger! We have used Brainpop Jr. to help bridge what my students know and what they need to learn. Thank you!\r\n We have used BrainPOP Jr. to learn many topics. During our winter learning, students watched Winter Holidays and were excited to learn about winter holidays and how they are celebrated in different cultures both here in the United States and around the world. Because of this, we talked about our family traditions and how they were similar and different. This helped them build not only vocabulary but cultural understanding.\r\n We also used Caring for Your Teeth to support our dental hygiene learning, which piggybacked off our Smiling Bright DonorsChoose project. They were able to discuss ways to keep their teeth healthy and apply what they learned to their own personal habits.\r\n For Earth Day, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle helped students understand the differences between these important concepts. They were then able to apply their learning during hands-on activities by identifying objects and deciding whether they could be reduced, reused, or recycled.\r\n In addition, our kindergarten students benefited from Pushes and Pulls, which supported concepts they were learning in the classroom. The visuals and examples helped make science concepts more understandable. And these are only a few examples!\r\n I think one of the things students love most about BrainPOP Jr. is being able to explore topics that interest them. They get to choose what THEY would like to learn about and they soak it up like sponges. Lastly, they love taking the quizzes to see if they get the answers right. I look forward to my kiddos having lots of learning experiences with this online platform that helps make learning fun! Thank you for helping to make these experiences happen!","fullyFundedDate":1768936711651,"projectUrl":"project/visual-learning-support-for-ells/10010688/","projectTitle":"Visual Learning Support for ELLs","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sample","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8500336_orig.png?crop=300,300,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691643146891","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/melissasample"},{"teacherId":8500336,"projectId":10041399,"letterContent":"It was very exciting to see all the materials to arrive for the \"Smiling Bright\" project. The students learned so much about taking care of their teeth through a dental workshop, the books, the dentist play set and teeth models.\r\n\r\nFirst, we connected with one of our occupational therapists to teach the dental workshop and had her teach all about good dental hygiene. The kids were engaged and learned how to properly brush their teeth and what causes cavities. It was then when the students got to take home their toiletry bags filled with all their dental supplies and books. Additionally, they received a brushing teeth chart to keep them on track brushing twice a day. Next, we had a small group reading of the books. We were able to review some of the things they learned in the workshop. The students were able to: recall the steps of brushing their teeth, sort and tell about healthy and unhealthy choices for foods to keep their smiles shining bright, and have an actual hands on brushing teeth lesson. They really loved practicing brushing their teeth in school.\r\n\r\nThe Zolipops were a hit as they felt like they were getting candy, but the \"candy\" was actually good for their teeth and helps prevent cavities. Some of the electric toothbrushes were not available so we needed to replace them with other items which allowed for the students to get a lot more toothbrushes than originally planned. Additionally, we were able to get a few more books, the Super Smile Dentist Play Set and teeth models, and a few other things like the flossers for kids.\r\n\r\nThis was an amazing experience for all of our English Language Learners! They learned so much and have the tools to better dental hygiene. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1768810474534,"projectUrl":"project/smiling-bright-building-healthy-smiles/10041399/","projectTitle":"Smiling Bright: Building Healthy Smiles","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sample","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8500336_orig.png?crop=300,300,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691643146891","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/melissasample"},{"teacherId":10288803,"projectId":10047709,"letterContent":"Thank you for the support you all showed to our classroom. The students were very happy when they got to help unbox and see the items that were provided to them. We took time in the morning to open up everything as a group so they could see it all.\r\nThey each got to pick what blanket they would like to keep in their cubby, they can use these blankets during independent reading time to cozy up and read, also during fun Fridays if we are watching a movie. Or if they are cold. \r\nThe snacks have been a welcome treat if someone is feeling hungry, doesn't like the school lunch or if they forgot their snack at home.","fullyFundedDate":1769278552602,"projectUrl":"project/warmth-care-and-hunger/10047709/","projectTitle":"Warmth Care and Hunger","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Drew","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10288803_orig.jpg?crop=3672,3672,x0,y514&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769783814340","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10288803"},{"teacherId":8640516,"projectId":10045868,"letterContent":"Your incredible generosity has provided more than just supplies; you have provided comfort, dignity, and the ability for our students to focus on learning rather than their basic needs. Because of your support, our second-grade classroom is now a place where every child feels cared for and prepared.\r\nThe impact of your donation is felt every single day:\r\n• Warmth and Comfort: The hooded sweatshirts and blankets ensure that students stay cozy during the school day and have something warm to wrap themselves in when they head home.\r\n• Health and Hygiene: Items like hair ties, Band-Aids, and tissues may seem small, but they allow us to quickly address those daily \"life happens\" moments so students can get right back to their lessons.\r\n• Daily Essentials: The hats and gloves are vital for our cold Rochester winters, and the snacks ensure that no child has to try to learn while feeling hungry.\r\nWhen a student puts on a fresh sweatshirt or grabs a snack, their entire demeanor changes. They feel seen and supported by their community. Your kindness reminds our students—and their families—that people truly care about their success and well-being.\r\nThank you for being such a vital part of our school family. We are so grateful for your heart for our kids.","fullyFundedDate":1769126929295,"projectUrl":"project/warm-smiles-and-healthy-bodies/10045868/","projectTitle":"Warm Smiles and Healthy Bodies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wolford","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8640516_orig.jpg?crop=571,571,x1067,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1716572261755","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8640516"},{"teacherId":10414607,"projectId":10047254,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for connecting my class with a DonorsChoose donor who generously provided every student with a pair of waterproof boots and warm mittens. Your support has made an incredible difference in our classroom, especially during the cold and often unpredictable winter months. Because of this thoughtful contribution, my students are now able to stay warm, dry, and comfortable while participating in outdoor learning activities and enjoying recess each day.\r\n\r\nBefore receiving these items, many of my students faced challenges when it came to spending time outside in colder weather. Some did not have proper winter gear, which made it difficult for them to fully engage in activities or feel comfortable during outdoor play. Now, thanks to your generosity, those worries are gone. Each child has what they need to fully participate, explore, and simply enjoy being outside without discomfort or distraction.\r\n\r\nThis gift has had a meaningful impact not only on their physical comfort but also on their emotional well-being. Students feel more confident knowing they are prepared for the weather, and that sense of security allows them to focus on learning, building friendships, and having fun. Outdoor time is such an important part of a child's school day—it encourages creativity, supports physical health, and provides a valuable break from classroom routines. Your support has ensured that all of my students can benefit from these experiences equally.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, this donation has helped foster a stronger sense of inclusion in our classroom. No child feels left out or unable to participate due to a lack of resources. Instead, they are united in shared experiences—playing in the snow, exploring nature, and engaging in hands-on learning activities together. These moments are not only joyful but also essential for their development and growth.\r\n\r\nWe are incredibly grateful for the comfort, confidence, and opportunity this gift has brought to each and every student. Your kindness and generosity have made a lasting difference in our classroom, and the impact will continue to be felt throughout the entire winter season and beyond. Thank you again for supporting my students and helping create a learning environment where everyone can thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1769136706104,"projectUrl":"project/snow-play-for-preschool/10047254/","projectTitle":"Snow Play for Preschool","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nies","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10414607"},{"teacherId":10417544,"projectId":10056369,"letterContent":"We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our donors in supporting our ASD Pre-K classroom with diapers, blankets, clothing, and daily snack items. These essential resources have had an immediate impact on our students' comfort, readiness to learn, and overall sense of security throughout the school day.\r\n\r\nStudents use these items daily as part of their individualized routines. Diapers and clothing help ensure students remain clean and comfortable so they can stay engaged in learning. Blankets and sensory supports are used during rest time and regulation breaks, helping students feel safe and supported. Daily snacks are also an important part of our routine, supporting nutrition while also providing opportunities for communication, independence, and social interaction.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials were introduced, students responded with excitement and curiosity as items were integrated into familiar routines. For many learners, especially those with sensory and regulation needs, these supports have helped create a calmer, more predictable environment, leading to smoother transitions and increased engagement in learning activities.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has strengthened our ability to provide a safe, structured, and nurturing learning environment where our students can thrive. We are truly thankful for your support in helping our learners grow with dignity, comfort, and confidence.","fullyFundedDate":1769383929828,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-care-for-curious-kids/10056369/","projectTitle":"Cozy Care for Curious Kids","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Staszak","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10417544"},{"teacherId":6063251,"projectId":10055796,"letterContent":"Because of your contributions to our classroom students were able to borrow clothes when the temps dropped outside and in. They were able to have a healthy snack when they couldn't bring on to school and we finally had the ability to play in the snow!\r\n\r\nThe word work games have been an amazing independent activity that we've added to our skills group time!\r\n\r\nWe opened our gifts together and with a community group who volunteers their time in our school. We all were so excited to open and organize all of the new things. Students have also been utilizing the blankets during reading and independent work times. Creating privacy tents of just making themselves comfortable.","fullyFundedDate":1769598211367,"projectUrl":"project/first-grade-essentials-for-warmth-and-co/10055796/","projectTitle":"First Grade Essentials for Warmth and Comfort","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jackson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6063251_orig.jpg?crop=273,273,x202,y8&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1717591162270","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6063251"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_23491","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":443,"numTeachers":40,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":48,"percentWhite":5,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":39,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":5,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"11.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":79.9,"schoolId":23491,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Mary McLeod Bethune School 45 on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Mary McLeod Bethune School 45","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/rochester-city-school-district/mary-mcleod-bethune-school-45-ne/23491"}
Join the 378 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Mary McLeod Bethune School 45 is
an urban public school
in Rochester, New York that is part of Rochester City School District.
It serves 443 students
in grades Pre-K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 11.1:1.
Its teachers have had 144 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
Public School
Title 1
Data about Title 1 status comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
Grades Pre-K - 8
443 Students
40 Teachers
1445 Clifford AveContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
Share and help support Mary McLeod Bethune School 45
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for public school teachers.
Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
88%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Mary McLeod Bethune School 45 Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Oct 24, 2026
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
Mary McLeod Bethune School 45
$86,808
raised using DonorsChoose
144
projects
funded
56
teachers
funded
378
donors
16
projects
for
basic supplies
18
projects for
technology
24
projects for
books
Mary McLeod Bethune School 45 has received support from
302 individuals from New York and
76 individuals out-of-state.